News and Challenge Updates

Jasper Place High School Takes Culinary Gold

Posted on March 10, 2016

Photo: Amy Kaye Photography

The culinary team from Edmonton’s Jasper PlaceHigh School defeated 17 other teams to take gold at the High School Culinary Challenge Awards Dinner Monday, March 7. Silver went to Louis St. Laurent and bronze went to Harry Ainlay High School. This is the second year in a row that Jasper Place has taken top prize.

Teams competed by cooking a three course meal on February 6 at NAIT’s Hokanson Centre for Culinary Arts and were judged on preparation, timing, sanitation, presentation and of course taste!

“Year after year it’s always exciting to see the level of talent these teams bring to the kitchen,” says Chef Simon Smotkowicz, Executive Chef at the Shaw Conference Centre and Chair of the HSCC. “It’s great to witness a new generation of young chefs test their skills and walk away with a great sense of accomplishment.”

This was the 9th year for the event. All participants of the High School Culinary Challenge were

eligible to apply for culinary scholarships upon completion of the challenge. At the awards dinner, four scholarships were awarded to attend NAIT’s culinary apprenticeship program, where students benefit from learning on the job with some of the area’s top chefs.

“For these students this is a first step into Edmonton’s flourishing culinary community,” says Smotkowicz. “Many of our scholarships recipients go on to lead great careers in the industry. It’s a true testament to the strength of the challenge program.”

The High School Culinary Challenge is helping to ensure that there will be new and innovative young chefs in Edmonton. The competition wouldn’t be possible without generous sponsorship support from Civeo; a global workforce accommodation specialist that helps people maintain healthy, productive and connected lives while living and working away from home.